Chemicals are added into the tub where the water is pumped in.

It's essential for life and many times the quality of it can be improved.

We're talking about water and Baylor University is going to the source of the problem in providing better water.

For birds, the Lake Waco Wetlands are 180 acres of paradise and for people, Ryan King, a biology professor at Baylor University said it's an educational tool.

"It's become a really important resource for the community of Waco. Lots of naturalists come out here, students come out here and use it," he said.

	Other sources of information
•Environmental Protection Agency •Waco Wetlands •Baylor's Aquatic Lab •Read a Q&A with Ryan King about the Aquatic Lab

It's also the heart of the Baylor Experimental Aquatic Research Center. There are 12 environmental streams used for their studies.

"We're able to test some very specific hypotheses about water quality in the greater Texas and national region," King said.

Baylor grad student, Jason Taylor, explained how they use the streams for research.

"All of these units are fed with water that is coming from the wetlands, after the water has been processed by the wetlands," Taylor said.

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Better water Find out how Baylor University is working to improve the quality of water.

Then chemicals are added into the tub where the water is pumped in.

"Such as phosphorus to here and it mixes very well you can see how turbulent it is, before it enters the experimental unit," Taylor said.

Students study how these various chemicals affect the water and aquatic life. The results are making a difference.

"We're having taste and odor problems with algae and bacteria and phosphorus is a major driver with some of those problems," King said.

	Environmental streams at the Waco Wetlands.

The facility and the university's work are quite unique. Their data is being shared with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In turn it could help the organization set water quality standards. That means better water for all of us.

The university is setting up for its next experiment. They will take a look at how very small particles from personal care products like sunscreen affect the water.

The water used in the study is then returned to the wetlands where researchers say it's naturally cleaned by plants and organisms in the environment.

The EPA helps fund the university's research.